Producer Flemming Rasmussen on Working with Metallica in the ’80s
The average metalhead probably isn't familiar with his name, but any true headbanger is bound to have at least one Flemming Rasmussen-produced album in their collection. Since the late '70s, the Danish producer has worked with some of heavy metal's most beloved artists -- everyone from Morbid Angel and Rainbow to Blind Guardian. However, Rasmussen will always be best remembered for his work on Metallica's thrash trifecta of 'Ride the Lightning,' 'Master of Puppets,' and '...And Justice For All.'
To mark the 25th anniversary of the release of 'Master of Puppets,' Noisecreep got in touch with Rasmussen for a quick conversation about his days in the studio with Metallica.
"I actually didn't hear Metallica until we started making the 'Ride the Lightning' album. The band played 'Kill 'Em All' for me because we were checking out some of the sounds on the record. To be honest, I wasn't impressed with the sound of it, and their playing. But I was blown away by their energy on the album, and that overshadowed their actual performances," remembered Rasmussen.
Noisecreep asked him how he first got in touch with the band. "They contacted me after they heard the production I did on Rainbow's 'Difficult to Cure' album. They really liked the sound I got on that record, so they reached out to me. The success of 'Ride the Lightning' made it really easy to continue our collaboration for the next couple of albums."
Back in the mid-'80s, Metallica's recording budgets weren't what they are now. To avoid wasting expensive studio time, the band had to be fully prepared when they showed up in Denmark to record. "The band made a really good demo of the entire album before we started recording, so everything was planned," Rasmussen said. "Actually, they always demoed everything before we entered the studio."
Since the band often referred to themselves as 'Alcoholica,' we had to ask if the boys ever showed up in the studio a little worse for the wear. "We actually didn't party in the studio," replied Rasmussen. "We were all pretty professional during the recording of those albums."
Rasmussen had a tough time picking his very favorite song on 'Master of Puppets,' saying almost all of the songs stood out in some way. "If I had to pick my favorite songs on the album, I would go with 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium),' 'Battery,' and the title track," he said.
Sadly, 'Master of Puppets' would be the last time Cliff Burton's incendiary bass playing would be heard on a Metallica album. "It was such a pleasure working with him," the producer said. "I loved his improvising. His solo parts on the instrumental track, 'Orion,' were fantastic!"
When Noisecreep asked Rasmussen if there's anything he would change on 'Master of Puppets,' the producer replied, "I listen to it on and off, and there's nothing I would change. It is a masterpiece for its time, and should be left as it is."
Watch the video for 'Fade to Black' (Live 1985)
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